NSS Deploys 100,000 Graduates Annually

The Acting Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS), Mustapha Ussif, has said that the Scheme deploys over 100,000 graduates to various sectors of the country’s economy annually.

According to him, the graduates are deployed to the agriculture, education, rural development and health sectors, among others.

Mr. Mustapha Ussif made the disclosure during a working visit by five Members of Parliament (MPs), a legal practitioner and clerk from Uganda to the NSS Secretariat in Accra on Wednesday.

He explained that the NSS was established in 1973 under National Redemption Council Decree NRCD 208, adding that the scheme gained legitimacy under the 1979 Constitution through the passage of the NSS Law (Act 426, 1980) by Parliament.

The NSS boss further explained that the scheme was mandated to mobilize and deploy Ghanaian youth of 18 years and above to serve their country and improve the lives of Ghanaians for a period of one year.

According to him, the duration for the service was later extended to two years and each service person was to undertake a six-month military training.

The Ag. Chief Executive also lauded former President John Agyekum Kufour for being instrumental in the early stages of the Service while he was a Member of Parliament.

The leader of the Ugandan delegation, Waira Kyewalabje (Majegere), said they were in the country on a tour to learn best practices in youth mobilization.

Mr. Kyewalabje, who is also a MP in Uganda, further mentioned that his country has high graduate unemployment rate, adding that the government was eager to adopt best practices to help solve the problem.

He also commended Ghanaians for holding successful election and transition, which he said was worthy of emulation by other African countries.